Due to my previous experience coaching in FLL and my knowledge of the table and scoring methods, I volunteered this past season (2009-2010) to participate as a table referee at the Northeast Ohio FLL Regional Tournament hosted at my school. Prior to the tournament I studied the season's missions and table value in order to prepare for proper scoring the day of the tournament.
REFLECTION
I enjoyed giving back this year from the other side of the tournament perspective. It was definitely different to attend the tournament as a volunteer rather than a coach preparing my team for competition. I enjoyed talking with the teams from different schools and having the opportunity to see the different robots and mission solutions. I never had the chance to interact this way with the other teams while coaching. This experience reiterated for me that discovery learning can open the door to the unexpected. There is not always only one way to solve a problem.
REFLECTION
I enjoyed giving back this year from the other side of the tournament perspective. It was definitely different to attend the tournament as a volunteer rather than a coach preparing my team for competition. I enjoyed talking with the teams from different schools and having the opportunity to see the different robots and mission solutions. I never had the chance to interact this way with the other teams while coaching. This experience reiterated for me that discovery learning can open the door to the unexpected. There is not always only one way to solve a problem.